LOCAL BRIEFS

NISSWA - Gov. Tim Pawlenty will speak before the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers fall conference at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa.

He'll speak at 9 a.m. in the Norway Room at the lodge.

Cancer conference set to focus on living well

LITTLE FALLS - "Living Well ... When Touched by Cancer" is the theme for the 27th annual Cancer Health Care Conference set Sept. 27 at the Falls Ballroom in Little Falls.

This year's conference, which is hosted by St. Gabriel's Hospital in partnership with the American Cancer Society, features a variety of speakers including Elizabeth Cabalka, a caregiver advocate and author; Maureen Nelson, a registered nurse and clinical coordinator for Unity Family Hospice; and Tami Briggs, a certified harp practitioner and health educator.

Topics Cabalka will discuss include the impact of cancer on caregivers, how to make the journey to wellness, how a person's thoughts impact the cancer experience and how people can learn to hear their inner dialogue. Nelson will talk about hospice care and how end-of-life care is administered to all those affected by the illness. Briggs will demonstrate how a healing environment can be enhanced through music.

The conference is geared to caregivers, nurses, doctors and the general public who has an interest in learning more about the innovative ideas and strategies for dealing with the disease.

Registration fee for the conference is $45 per person and is due on or before Sept. 21. Cost is $55 after Sept. 21 or at the door. Cost includes lunch, breaks and materials. Six contact hours are available for those interested.

Registrations should be submitted to the American Cancer Society, Midwest Division Inc., 3721 23rd St. S., Suite 102, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Make checks payable to the American Cancer Society.

People with questions about the conference are invited to contact the American Cancer Society at (800) 239-7028 or call Peggy Martin at St. Gabriel's Hospital at (320) 632-1238.